Missouri is a wonderful place to practice as a home and building inspector. Not only do individuals interested in pursuing this profession enjoy a straightforward process to begin their careers, but they also enjoy constant demand for their expertise and several opportunities to grow and scale their yearly earnings.
If you want to launch a home and building inspector career in the state, you have come to the right page. Here, you’ll discover several key pieces of information to clarify the process and give you an edge over the field.
You’ll find a step-by-step breakdown of the process, possible certification and licensing options, top home and building inspector schools and programs in the state, and the possible salary projections for a home and building inspector in Missouri, depending on where they are in their careers.
How to Become a Home and Building Inspector in Missouri
Aspiring home and building inspectors in Missouri are expected to follow the steps below to start their careers on the right path.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
The basic requirements for becoming a home and building inspector in Missouri include being at least 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED, and having a clean background with no criminal history.
Step 2: Enroll in a Recognized Training Program
All aspiring home inspectors in Missouri must enroll in a top-quality home inspection training course. Quality is important in this regard, as the best programs make it easier for candidates to launch their careers successfully.
Not only do they provide comprehensive training concerning key topics, but they also provide a direct pathway for students to network with other professionals and pursue credentials and certification.
The best training programs also prepare candidates for the most important step – passing the national examination.
Step 3: Pass the National Home Inspector Examination
Passing the National Home Inspector Examination is mandatory for all home and building inspectors across the country. This exam consists of 200 questions, 175 of which are scored.
It covers the key aspects of home inspection, including property and building inspection, findings and reporting analysis, professional responsibilities, and site review. To apply, candidates must pay a $225 fee.
Even though it is possible to retake the exam if unsuccessful the first time, candidates must wait for 30 days and pay an additional $225 every time they have to retake the tests.
Step 4: Become Certified
After completing the above steps, candidates are advised to pursue professional certification to give themselves a better chance of rapid career growth. We discuss further the possible certification organizations for home and building inspectors in Missouri below.
Licensure & Certification Requirements
Compared to most states, Missouri does not demand that home and building inspectors obtain a license before they start working professionally. All of the steps highlighted above are important because that is the standard expected by employers, customers, and the federal government — not the state or local governments.
Home and building inspectors in Missouri are also expected to purchase general liability insurance. They may also purchase errors and omissions insurance to protect themselves from unforeseen missteps.
As for professional certification, candidates may consider joining the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) for career opportunities.
Learn about home and building Inspector licensing and certification in nearby states:
Top Home and Building Inspection Schools in Missouri
The following are some of the top home and building inspection schools in Missouri:
St. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College offers a rigorous online training program for future home inspectors in Missouri. The program is self-paced and also comes with a certificate of completion.
Home Inspection Training Institute Today
The Home Inspection Training Institute Today program includes online training and an opponent for real-world projects.
Notable Mentions
Other notable mentions include the programs Fortune Academy of Real Estate offers, ATI Training, and the Inspection Certification Associates (ICA).
Explore the home and building inspector schools by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
As an average home and building inspector in Missouri, you can earn an annual salary of $136,967, close to the national average. Of course, getting higher or lower than these is also possible, depending on a few key criteria.
Those among the top 10% and highest-paid in the state will take home an annual average salary of $246,357, while those among the bottom 10% will still take home around $76,149 in average salary per year.
These figures include employers, specialty, credentials, experience, and location. Those looking to optimize their location by moving to the best cities may consider Kansas City and Cottleville, where home and building inspectors earn annual salaries of $136,538 and $78,604, respectively.
They may also consider Columbia, MO, with an annual average salary of $55,588, and St. Louis, with an annual average salary of $42,279.
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